The Addiction Podcast - Point of No Return

Erin's story is horrific for any mom to deal with. Not only did she lose her beloved son to a heroin overdose but when she started a foundation to spread his story in the hopes of helping others, she was arrested. Here is the tragic story of a young man with a very bright future in hockey who overdosed after being prescribed opiates. Here is also the story of a mother who doesn't want any other mother to have to experience what she went through.

Justin's struggle with addiction is not so different from other former addicts' stories and yet, it's different. He started on drugs, alcohol and Adderall when he was young and in school, and ended up on heroin and methamphetamine. After 10 different rehab programs, he tried a holistic route and now he is clean and sober - and happy to be alive and helping others.

Jennifer Gimenez had it all. She was a beautiful Argentinian young lady who became a model and graced the cover of all the top fashion magazines. She appeared in films with stars such as Johnny Depp and Tom Cruise. Then she found cocaine and her life spiraled out of control. Jenn has now been clean and sober for over 13 years,is helping others, and hopes that her story will inspire others to get help and get clean and get back to a happy life like she has now.

Tim Ryan has been a huge success in business. He's made millions. But drugs and alcohol took everything away from him - his money, his companies, his marriage and even his son. How do you come back from that? With faith and a belief in himself action. A nationally renown speaker, his work was the subject of the A&E TV series “Dope Man”. and has been featured in many publications, podcasts and television shows including the Chicago Tribune, Newsweek, The Steve Harvey Show and Dr. Drew's podcast.

There are many kinds of addiction. Our guest on this episode was addicted not only to cocaine and Adderall but also gambling. He has always been a successful entrepreneur but for him that came with the cost of addiction. Now clean and sober - largely through his own efforts, he is giving back to leaders and through raising money for charity. This is Michael Dash's story.

Pastor Michael Carter began his journey into addiction at the age of 6 where he saw that those who used drugs had money, power and influence.  He snorted heroin at age 9 and his drug use continued from there.  Finally reaching his point of no return in his 20s, he got clean and sober and now helps others through Victor Newman Ministries - a non-profit group founded by himself and his wife, Yvette.  Together, they nourish not only the bodies of individuals but also the souls through their faith.

Recently there was some fake news about kids smoking bed bugs. It appeared that the television station reporting same, said that it was a joke and that it really wasn't true. We don't think it's funny. There are too many horror stories about the drugs that ARE being used to make up things like this. Colorado is finding that young people are abusing marijuana. Ya think?

Dr. Basha Jordan has been a pastor for decades. But more importantly, he is known as The Hope Doctor. Why? He himself has been challenged and is a former addict who has been in recovery for years. So he's "been there and done" that and uses his experiences to deliver hope to individuals and loved ones trying to deal with addiction. His book "The Pipe and the Pulpit" is an impactful story of denial, family challenges and ultimately success. This is his story.

We interview Susan Korabek, mother of Landon Korabek. Hewas a talented athlete, a bright student, and an extraordinary guitarist. He died unexpectedly at the age of 17 from a prescription drug overdose. Like so many others, he did not understand just how lethal prescription drugs can be. It took only one mixture of Xanax and Vicodin. Family and friends established the Landon Korabek Foundation to celebrate Landon’s life and shine a light on the prescription drug abuse epidemic. Here is Susan's story

Chris' story at the outset doesn't sound that different than many of the stories we've told on the podcast. What does it take for someone to reach the "point of no return"? In Chris' case it took 7 rehabs, 3 overdoses and 4 stints in jail to get there. But once he did, and arrived at Narconon Suncoast, he changed his life for good. He has been clean and sober for 3 years - has a wife, a son and a new life.

Jay's story is one that we haven't heard before.  Prescribed psychiatric medications at a very young age, he ended up addicted to several of those as well as some street drugs.  Finally, he realized he didn't have a mental disorder, he was addicted.  When he spotted this, he told his psychiatrist that he wanted to get off all of the medications.  With the help of his grandmother, he stepped down off all drugs and has been clean and sober - completely drug and alcohol free - for 9 years.  

Joanie and Jason back in the studio and talking addiction.  What is denial really?  So often Jason encounters parents and loved ones of addicts who say that there's nothing they can do because the addict is in denial.  First of all, there is ALWAYS something you can do.  Just reach out to whoever you trust and get help for your loved one.

In the past, we have interviewed Narconon graduates and related their story of addiction, treatment and sobriety.  We have also interviewed members of the families of former addicts.  In this episode, we have all three of those involved - Josie (former addict) and her mom (Nadja) and dad (Jim).  They each have their own perspective on addiction and what each experienced with Josie's addiction and where she is today - healthy, happy and sober.  This episode is for everyone.

Today's episode is an interview with author Dave Chase.  His latest book focuses on the Opioid Crisis.  The opioid crisis is not an anomaly. Instead, it's a self-inflicted wound, driven by a catastrophically dysfunctional health care system, leading to what has become the largest public health crisis in 100 years. Fortunately, proven antidotes exist -- all created and spearheaded by forward-looking citizen leaders and employers. 

Diane Stein is the President of Citizens Commission on Human Rights in Florida.  She adds a unique perspective on the role that psychiatric mind-altering drugs play in the addiction epidemic we face today.  It's not a small role and if psychiatry has it's way, addiction will be labeled as a brain disease and treatable only with further medication.  Substituting one drug for another will not result in a sober individual.